High on the list of every parent’s travel stress sources is flying with the kids. I get it. It’s not fun as adults and, unfortunately, other passengers don’t make it easy for parents either. So, while I say ignore their eye-rolls and comments, don’t ignore your kids! Start off by prepping their expectations with some books. Even at the smallest ages, these books are great for young flyers. Here are the best children’s books to prepare kids for a flight.
Click on the image to go to the Amazon page about the book.
Book for young flyers
Maisy Goes on a Plane
by Lucy Cousins
Even the youngest travelers can learn a thing or two with a simple book. This one is a great place to start and get them used to some of the things they’ll see when they travel.
Children’s book about the flying experience
The Airport Book
by Lisa Brown
This is my favorite book for kid flyers. It shows them everything from packing at home, through the airport, on the plane, at baggage claim, and heading to the destination. Each page is filled with a lot of imagery that you can focus on different things each time you read the book and experience something new.
Children’s book explaining how airports work
How Airports Work
by Lonely Planet Kids (Author), Tom Cornell (Author), Clive Gifford (Author), James Gulliver Hancock (Illustrator)
A big part of flying anxiety is the airport. Part of alleviating that anxiety is figuring out how it works. The book will help with that and help with the millions of questions a curious mind my have while at the airport.
Children’s book about the proper way to behave on a plane
Monster’s Don’t Ride on Airplanes
by Hilarye Fuller (Author), Hazel Quintanilla (Illustrator)
Once kids get on a plane behavior is the most important thing. Prepare kids for the proper way to behave on a plane with a book dedicated to just that.
Children’s book about how flight works
The Science of Flight
by Ian Graham (Author), Christos Skaltsas (Illustrator), Bryan Beach (Illustrator)
Just as kids may have questions about how airports function, once kids are on a plane they may have questions about how flying works. This is the book for the inquisitive flyer.
Children’s flight-themed activity book
My Airplane Trip Activity
by Becky Radtke
To help past the time on the flight, I highly recommend a good activity book. This one is geared for kids between the ages of 4 and 8. Other options would be to look for an activity book about your destination.
What are some of your favorite books to read with your kids to help them prepare for flying?
NATO Phonetic Alphabet Download
As an added bonus I thought it would be fun to have the kids learn the alphabet as the airline industry uses it to communicate. Click on the image below to download.
